The estimated resident population of Australia at 30 June 2003 was 19,880,600, an increase of 239,600 (1.2%) since 2002.

In 2003 approximately one third (33.6%) of Australia's population resided in New South Wales. Between 2002 and 2003 the largest and fastest growing state was Queensland with an increase of 85,300 persons (2.3% increase). The Northern Territory was the only state or territory to experience a decline in population over the same period (300 persons, 0.2% decrease).

The Sydney Statistical Division (SD) contained 21.1% of Australia's population, a proportion virtually unchanged since 2002 (21.2%). Moreton (located in Qld) was the fastest growing SD in the country with an increase of 3.5% (25,900 persons) from 2002 to 2003. Melbourne (Vic) was the SD with the largest growth in the country with an increase of 46,500 persons (1.3%).The largest decline over the same period was in Northern SD (NSW) (540 persons, 0.5%) while the fastest decline was in Australian Capital Territory - Bal (ACT) (5.3%, 20 persons).

The following analysis excludes Other Territories.

MEDIAN AGE

The median age, the age at which half the population is older and half is younger,increased slightly in Australia between 2002 and 2003,from 36.0 years to 36.1 years.South Australia's median age (38.2) continues to be the highest of all states and territories of Australia. The Northern Territory had the lowest median age (30.3 years).

Amongst the SDs in Australia, the highest median ages were recorded by Yorke and Lower North (SA) (43.8 years) and Mid-North Coast (NSW) (41.9 years). The SDs with the lowest median ages were Northern Territory - Bal (NT) (28.1 years) and Kimberley (WA) (29.1 years).

CHILDREN (UNDER 15 YEARS)

In 2003, children aged 0-14 years comprised 20.0% of Australia's population. The total number of children has fallen from 3,984,200 persons in 2002 to 3,979,700 in 2003, a decrease of 0.1%. South Australia had the lowest proportion of children (18.8%) of all states and territories. The Northern Territory had the highest proportion aged under 15 years (25.4%).

The SD with the highest proportion of its population aged under 15 in 2003 was Northern Territory - Bal (NT) (28.4%) and the lowest was Adelaide (SA) (18.0%).

Queensland was the only state or territory to record an increase in the number of children aged 0-14 between 2002 and 2003 (1.0% or 7,500 persons). All other states and territories experienced a decline in this age group over the same period. The largest percentage decrease was in the Australian Capital Territory (1.6%, 1,000 persons).

Between 2002 and 2003 the SD with the highest percentage increase in children aged 0-14 years was Moreton (Qld) (2.0%, 2,900 persons).

PERSONS AGED 15-44 YEARS

In 2003 the proportion of persons aged 15-44 years in Australia was 43.4%. The total number of persons in this age group increased by 0.8% between 2002 and 2003 from 8,554,100 to 8,622,700 persons. Tasmania (40.1%) had the lowest proportion of persons aged 15-44 of all states and territories, while the Northern Territory had the highest proportion (49.8%).

The SD with the highest proportion of persons aged 15-44 years was Kimberley (WA) (52.3%), while the lowest was Yorke and Lower North (SA) (32.8%).

From 2002 to 2003 Queensland recorded the highest increase in this age group (1.9% or 30,500 persons), while the largest decrease was in Northern Territory (1.5% or 1,500 persons). Over the same period, Moreton (Qld) was the SD with the largest percentage increase in population aged 15-44 years (3.1% or 9,500 persons).

PERSONS AGED 45-64 YEARS

The percentage of Australia's population aged 45-64 years in 2003 was 23.8%. The total number of persons in this age group rose from 4,611,800 persons in 2002 to 4,733,700 in 2003, an increase of 2.6%. With 25.3% of its population aged 45-64 years, Tasmania had the highest proportion in this age group of all the states and territories while the Northern Territory (20.6%) had the lowest proportion.

The SD with the highest proportion of 45-64 year old persons was Yorke and Lower North (SA) (28.2%), and the lowest was Kimberley (WA) (17.7%).

Between 2002 and 2003 the population aged 45-64 years increased in all states and territories. The largest percentage increase was in Queensland (3.8% or 33,100 persons). Among the SDs in the country, South West (Qld) had the greatest percentage increase between 2002 and 2003 (5.3% or 2,600 persons).

PERSONS AGED 65 YEARS AND OVER

In 2003 the proportion of Australia's population aged 65 years and over was 12.8%.The total number of persons in this age group increased by 53,600 from 2002 to 2003, an increase of 2.2%.South Australia had the highest population aged 65 years and over of all states and territories with 14.9% (227,000 persons). The lowest proportion of persons aged 65 years and over in 2003 was in the Northern Territory (4.2%).

The SD with the highest proportion of its population aged 65 years and over was Yorke and Lower North (SA) (19.9%), followed by Wimmera (Vic) (18.7%). The lowest proportions were in Pilbara (WA) (2.4%) and Northern Territory - Bal (NT) (3.8%). Pilbara (WA) also recorded the fastest increase in this age group from 2002 to 2003 (5.7% or 50 persons).

PERSONS AGED 85 YEARS AND OVER

In 2003 the proportion of people aged 85 years and over in Australia was 1.5% (288,800 persons). South Australia had the highest proportion of people in this age group of all states and territories, with 1.8% of its total state population. The Northern Territory (0.3%) had the lowest proportion of people aged 85 years and over.

From 2002 to 2003 the total population aged 85 years and over increased by 4.3% (12,000 persons). The growth in this age group is in part due to increased life expectancy of both men and women.

The SDs with the largest proportion of their population aged 85 years and over were Wimmera (Vic) (2.5%, 1300 persons) and Yorke and Lower North (SA) (2.2%, 900 persons). The smallest proportions of people aged 85 years and over were recorded in Australian Capital Territory - Bal (ACT) with no population aged 85 years and over, and Pilbara (WA) with 0.2% (90 persons).

SEX RATIO

In June 2003 females outnumbered males in Australia by 138,000. With 9,871,300 males and 10,009,300 females at June 2003, the nation's sex ratio (number of males per 100 females) was 98.6. The Northern Territory had the highest sex ratio of all the states and territories in 2003 with 110.6, while Victoria had the lowest ratio (97.2).

The number of females aged 65 years and over in Australia (1,410,700) was almost 25% higher than the number of males in this age group (1,133,800) in 2003. Considering persons aged 85 years and over, there was more than twice as many females (197,700) as males (91,200). The lower sex ratios for the more elderly age groups reflects the greater life expectancy of women.

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